An Australian cattle dog’s trek to the heart of a family that’s all about adoption

This story is written by PetSmart Charities’ roving reporter, Howard Wolinsky

For the Mohrs, adoption is a family value.

Freddie Mohr III, a student at Victor Andrew High School, couldn’t contain his bright smile as he hugged his new pal Salty Crackers, a nine-month-old salt-and-pepper Australian cattle dog.

Salty Crackers came to PetSmart Charities’ National Adoption Weekend in Orland Hills with the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue of Illinois. The group is based in Texico, Ill, five hours south of the Chicago area.

Adoption: a family tradition
But there’s more to the Mohrs: adoption is a hallmark of the family.

The Mohr family is headed by Fred II, who himself is adopted. He and his wife, Jennifer, also adopted a son James, 14. They have another son in addition to James and Freddie: Calvin, also 14.

Plus, Salty Crackers is the third rescue dog the Mohrs have adopted.  She joins the “sisters” Dixie, 9, another Australian cattle dog, and Rosie, 10, a bulldog. “We like to call them sisters, not dogs,” says Fred II.

The Mohrs note that their parents, too, have adopted dogs.

“It’s important to take in these dogs. You’re saving lives,” Jennifer says. “We will always take someone in. That’s one of our family’s values.”